Sunroof apparatus for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A sunroof apparatus for a vehicle includes a movable panel, a guide rail, a first sliding member, a second sliding member, the movable panel being configured to be shifted to a tilt-up state in a case where the first sliding member moves in a front direction in a fully closed state of the movable panel and to be opened while being maintained in the tilt-up state in a case where the first sliding member moves in a rear direction after moving further in the front direction, and a holding mechanism configured to stop the second sliding member in a state where the engagement between the first sliding member and the second sliding member is released and to cause the second sliding member to be movable in the engagement state in a case where the first sliding member moves in the rear direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 toJapanese Patent. Application 2013-185557, filed on Sep. 6, 2013, theentire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to a sunroof apparatus for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

A known sunroof apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed, for example, inJP2000-108676A, which will be hereinafter referred to as Reference 1.The sunroof apparatus disclosed in Reference 1 is a so-called outersliding sunroof including a link mechanism for supporting a movablepanel. Specifically, the link mechanism includes a rear lift linkperforming a swinging motion by a sliding operation of a first shoe, afront lift link performing a swinging motion by a sliding operation of asecond shoe, and a connecting rod connecting the rear lift link and thesecond shoe so that the second shoe is slidably operated (i.e., performsthe sliding operation) by the swinging motion of the rear lift link. Ina case where the first shoe is slidably operated (i.e., performs thesliding operation), the rear link performs the swinging motion to liftup a rear end of the movable panel. During the aforementioned process,the swinging motion of the rear lift link is transmitted to the secondshoe via the connecting rod. The resulting sliding operation of thesecond shoe causes the front lift link to perform the swinging motion tothereby lift up a front end of the movable panel. As a result, themovable panel is tilted up (i.e., performs a tilt-up operation).

Thereafter, the first shoe and the second shoe are slidably operated sothat the movable panel slides outward (above a roof portion of avehicle) while the movable panel is maintained to be tilted up (i.e.,maintained in a tilt-up state). An opening formed at the roof portion isbrought to an open state accordingly. At this time, the rear lift linkperforms the swinging motion by a function of an engagement structureprovided between the rear lift link and the first shoe. Thus, because ofspecification of the engagement structure, the movable panel may beslowly tilted-up.

According to the sunroof apparatus disclosed in Reference 1, a movingamount (i.e., an operation stroke) of the first shoe or the like bywhich the movable panel is brought to a fully open state from a fullyclosed state is specifically the moving amount by which the movablepanel is brought to the fully open state via the tilt-up state from thefully closed state. Thus, in a case where the moving amount of the firstshoe or the like by which the movable panel is brought to the tilt-upstate from the fully closed state (hereinafter also referred to as atilt operation stroke) increases, the moving amount of the first shoe orthe like by which the movable panel is brought to the fully open state,i.e., an amount of opening of the movable panel, may be difficult to besecured.

On the other hand, because the tilt operation stroke corresponds to anarea of a high load state where the movable panel moves upward anddownward, it is desirable for the tilt operation stroke to be elongated.When it is assumed that the tilt operation stroke is shortened, a loadper unit operation stroke increases, which may result in an enlargementof an electric drive source (for example, a motor) for driving the firstshoe or the like.

According to a sunroof apparatus for a vehicle serving as an outersliding sunroof disclosed in JP4109583B which will be hereinafterreferred to as Reference 2, it is proposed that a guide rail on which ashoe slidably moves projects forward in a state to penetrate through afront frame (housing). Accordingly, a supporting span of the movablepanel may be widened while the opening amount of the movable panelincreases or without deterioration of the opening amount of the movablepanel.

Nevertheless, an effect obtained by the increase of the opening amountof the movable panel by the penetration of the guide rail through thefront frame, for example, is insignificant. The opening amount of themovable panel is still difficult to be secured.

A need thus exists for a sunroof apparatus for a vehicle which is notsusceptible to the drawback mentioned above.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of this disclosure, a sunroof apparatus for avehicle includes a movable panel configured to open and close an openingformed at a roof of a vehicle, a guide rail provided at each edgeportion of the opening in a vehicle width direction and being extendedin a front-rear direction of the vehicle, a first sliding member drivenby a drive source to move along the guide rail and connected to eachedge portion of the movable panel in the vehicle width direction, asecond sliding member integrally movable with the movable panel in astate where a tilt operation of the movable panel is allowed, themovable panel being configured to be shifted to a tilt-up state in acase where the first sliding member moves in a front direction of thevehicle in a fully closed state of the movable panel and to be openedwhile being maintained in the tilt-up state by an integral movement ofthe first sliding member with the second sliding member caused by anengagement between the first sliding member and the second slidingmember in a case where the first sliding member moves in a reardirection of the vehicle after moving further in the front direction,the movable panel being configured to be closed in a case where thefirst sliding member integrally moves with the second sliding member inthe front direction in an open state of the movable panel and to beshifted to the fully closed state in a case where the first slidingmember thereafter moves in the rear direction while the engagementbetween the first sliding member and the second sliding member isreleased, and a holding mechanism configured to stop a movement of thesecond sliding member in a state where the engagement between the firstsliding member and the second sliding member is released and to causethe second sliding member to be movable in the engagement state betweenthe first sliding member and the second sliding member in a case wherethe first sliding member moves in the rear direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of thisdisclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription considered with the reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sunroof apparatus for avehicle according to an embodiment disclosed here;

FIG. 2A is a side view illustrating a fully closed state of a movablepanel;

FIG. 2B is a side view illustrating a second tilt-up state of themovable panel;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIA-IIIA in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIB-IIIB in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a guide block and a peripheralstructure of the guide block;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating an operation of an engagementand disengagement switching mechanism by deploying the engagement anddisengagement switching mechanism in a circumferential direction;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the guide block and a slidecheck;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section view illustrating the guide block andthe slide check;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a roof at which the sunroof apparatusaccording to the embodiment is mounted and which is viewed in anobliquely upward direction; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sunroof apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.In the following, a front-rear direction corresponds to a vehiclefront-rear direction, and an upper side and a lower side correspond toan upper side and a lower side in a vehicle height directionrespectively. Further, a vehicle inner side and a vehicle outer sidecorrespond to an inner side in a vehicle width direction towards avehicle cabin and an outer side in the vehicle width direction away fromthe vehicle cabin respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a substantially square or rectangular opening10 a is formed at a roof 10 of a vehicle such as an automobile, forexample, and a sunroof apparatus 11 is mounted at the roof 10. Thesunroof apparatus 11 includes a movable panel 12 substantially in asquare or rectangular form made of glass plate, for example. The movablepanel 12 moves in the front-rear direction for opening and closing theopening 10 a.

The movable panel 12 is mounted at the roof 10 so as to selectivelyperform a tilt-up operation in which a rear portion of the movable panel12 is lifted up or raised with reference to a front portion thereof anda slide operation in which the movable panel 12 slides in the front-reardirection. The sunroof apparatus 11 in the embodiment is a so-calledouter sliding sunroof so that the movable panel 12 slides (performs theslide operation) while being maintained to be tilted-up (i.e., in atilt-up state) during an opening and closing operation of the movablepanel 12 for opening and closing the opening 10 a.

A configuration of the sunroof apparatus 11 related to the opening andclosing operation of the movable panel 12 will be explained below. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, a pair of guide rails 13 is provided at opposededge portions of the opening 10 a in the vehicle width direction. Eachof the guide rails 13, which is made of aluminum alloy extrudedmaterial, for example, extends in the front-rear direction whileincluding a constant cross section in a longitudinal direction of theguide rail 13. Functional components 20 are supported and guidedrelative to the respective guide rails 13 to be movable in thefront-rear direction. The movable panel 12 is bridged between thefunctional components 20 at the respective guide rails 13 so as to beconnected and supported at the functional components 20. The functionalcomponents 20 moves in the front-rear direction along the guide rails 13to thereby bring the movable panel 12 to tilt-up or slide.

Respective front edges of the guide rails 13 are connected to each otherby a front housing 14 that extends in the vehicle width direction. Anelectric drive source 15 such as an electric motor serving as a drivesource and including an output gear, for example, is provided at asubstantially intermediate portion of the front housing 14 in alongitudinal direction thereof. The electric drive source 15 isconnected to the functional components 20 via a pair of drive belts 16made of resin material, for example, and substantially formed in a strapform so as to simultaneously move the functional components 20 providedat the respective guide rails 13 in the front-rear direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the guide rails 13 includes afirst rail portion 13 a including a substantially C-shape cross sectionopening upward and a second rail portion 13 b disposed adjacent to thefirst rail portion 13 a at the vehicle outer side thereof. The secondrail portion 13 b, which includes a substantially T-shape cross sectionin cooperation with a side wall of the first rail portion 13 a, isconnected to the first rail portion 13 a via an opening formed at theside wall of the first rail portion 13 a. In each of the guide rails 13,a guide portion 17 in a flange form is formed at an upper side of aportion of the first rail portion 13 a at the vehicle outer side (i.e.,a vehicle outer side portion of the first rail portion 13 a).

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, a cut-out portion 17 a is formed at apredetermined position of the guide portion 17 closer to the front sideof the vehicle. Then, a guide block 19 is fixed to the guide rail 13 ina state to be placed at the vehicle outer side portion of the first railportion 13 a and fitted to the guide portion 17 via the cut-out portion17 a. The guide block 19 is formed in a hook form by including anengagement groove 19 a continuously formed from an upper side to a lowerside of the guide portion 17 at the rear side of the vehicle. Theengagement groove 19 a is inclined downward towards the rear side of thevehicle and is connected, via a lower end of the engagement groove 19 a,to a lower side of the guide portion 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a drive shoe 21 is mounted to each of theguide rails 13 (specifically, to the first rail portion 13 a) so as tobe movable in the front-rear direction. The drive shoe 21 serving as afirst sliding member is formed, for example, by metallic plate and resinwhich are integrated. The drive shoe 21 includes a pair of shoe portions22 a and 22 b disposed apart from each other in the front-rear directionto slide on a portion of the first rail portion 13 a at the vehicleinner side (i.e., a vehicle inner side portion of the first rail portion13 a), and a shoe portion 22 c sliding on the vehicle outer side portionof the first rail portion 13 a (i.e., at an upper left side in FIG. 1).The shoe portion 22 c is provided at the rear side of the shoe portion22 b. The drive shoe 21 also includes a vertical wall portion 23, aprojection wall portion 24, a connection wall portion 25, and aconnection wall portion 26. The vertical wall portion 23 is formed tostand upward at a substantially intermediate portion and closer to thevehicle inner side of the first rail portion 13 a so as to connect theshoe portions 22 a and 22 b each other by extending in the front-reardirection. The projection wall portion 24 is formed to protrude by asubstantially constant distance from a lower end portion of the verticalwall portion 23 to the vehicle outer side. The projection wall portion24 extends in the front-rear direction over an entire length of thevertical wall portion 23 in a longitudinal direction thereof. Theconnection wall portion 25 connects a rear end portion of the projectionwall portion 24 and a front end portion of the shoe portion 22 c in thevehicle width direction. The connection wall portion 26 is disposedadjacent to the projection wall portion 24 in the rear of the vehicle toconnect a rear end portion of the vertical wall portion 23 and a rearend portion of the shoe portion 22 c in the vehicle width direction.

The drive shoe 21 includes plural projecting pieces 27 (for example,three projecting pieces 27 in the embodiment) penetrating through theshoe portion 22 c to enter the inside of the second rail portion 13 bprovided at the vehicle outer side relative to the first rail portion 13a. The projecting pieces 27 are connected to the corresponding drivebelt 16 sliding on the second rail portion 13 b in the front-reardirection. That is, the electric drive source 15 is connected to each ofthe functional components 20 via the drive shoe 21. Because each of thedrive belts 16 is driven by the electric drive source 15 to move alongthe guide rail 13 (specifically, the second rail portion 13 b) in thefront-rear direction, the drive shoe 21 moves in the front-reardirection in a state where the shoe portions 22 a and 22 b slide on thevehicle inner side portion of the first rail portion 13 a and the shoeportion 22 c slides on the vehicle outer side portion of the first railportion 13 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the drive shoe 21 includes an engagementrecess portion 28 provided at a substantially intermediate portion ofthe projection wall portion 24 in the longitudinal direction thereof andat the front side of the vehicle relative to the connection wall portion25. The engagement recess portion 28 is recessed to the vehicle innerside from an end surface of the projection wall portion 24 at thevehicle outer side. A rear end surface of the engagement recess portion28 forms a restriction portion 28 a.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a guide groove 30 that extends in thefront-rear direction is formed at the vertical wall portion 23 to berecessed to the vehicle inner side from an end surface of the verticalwall portion 23 at the vehicle outer side. The guide groove 30 includesa first inclination portion 30 a, a linear portion 30 b, and a secondinclination portion 30 c those of which are integrally formed. The firstinclination portion 30 a is inclined upward towards the rear side of thevehicle. The linear portion 30 b is connected to a rear end of the firstinclination portion 30 a to extend substantially in parallel to theguide rail 13. The second inclination portion 30 c is connected to arear end of the linear portion 30 b to incline upward towards the rearside of the vehicle.

A pair of support brackets 31 is fixed to a lower surface of the movablepanel 12 in a state to be disposed at opposed edge portions of themovable panel 12 in the vehicle width direction. Each of the supportbrackets 31, which is made of metallic plate, for example, extends overa substantially entire length of the movable panel 12. The supportbracket 31 includes a vertical wall portion 32 in a plate formvertically provided at the lower surface of the movable panel 12. Thevertical wall portion 32 is disposed adjacent to the vertical wallportion 23 of the drive shoe 21 at the vehicle outer side thereof so asto be positioned at the upper side of the projection wall portion 24 ofthe drive shoe 21.

An attachment piece 32 a is formed at a front end of the vertical wallportion 32 to bend towards the vehicle inner side. A driven shoe 33 madeof resin material and formed in a substantially column is connected toan end of the attachment piece 32 a to be rotatable about an axis lineextending in the vehicle width direction. The driven shoe 33 is providedto be movable on the first rail portion 13 a of the guide rail 13 in thefront-rear direction at the front side of the drive shoe 21(specifically, the shoe portions 22 a and 22 b). The movable panel 12supported by the support brackets 31 is tilted-up (i.e., performs thetilt-up operation) so that a rear portion of the support bracket 31(i.e., of the movable panel 12) is raised with reference to a frontportion at which the vertical wall portion 32 is connected to the drivenshoe 33 (the attachment piece 32 a) and is tilted-down (i.e., performs atilt-down operation) so that the rear portion of the support bracket 31(the movable panel 12) is lowered with reference to the front portion.The drive shoe 21 and the driven shoe 33 constitute the functionalcomponent 20. The tilt-up operation and the tilt-down operation will behereinafter collectively referred to as the tilt operation.

A guide pin 34 projecting to the vehicle inner side is integrally formedat a front portion of the support bracket 31 (specifically, the verticalwall portion 32). The guide pin 34 is movably fitted to the guide groove30. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the guide pin 34 is configured to bedisposed at a lower end of the guide groove 30 (specifically, the firstinclination portion 30 a) in a fully closed state of the movable panel12. Thus, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves to the front sidealong the guide rail 13 in the aforementioned configuration, the guidepin 34 that is guided by the guide groove 30 moves upward at the firstinclination portion 30 a to reach the linear portion 30 b. At this time,because of the rising of the support bracket 31 (the guide pin 34) withreference to the drive shoe 21, the movable panel 12 rotates relative tothe front portion of the support bracket 31, which results in thetilt-up operation of the movable panel 12 in which the rear portion ofthe support bracket 31 (the movable panel 12) is raised with referenceto the front portion thereof. The movable panel 12 is brought in a firsttilt-up state accordingly.

In a case where the drive shoe 21 moves further to the front side alongthe guide rail 13 (i.e., the first rail portion 13 a), as illustrated inFIG. 2B, the guide pin 34 that is guided by the guide groove 30 movesupward at the second inclination portion 30 c to reach an end (a rearend) thereof. At this time, because of the rising of the support bracket31 (the guide pin 34) with reference to the drive shoe 21, the movablepanel 12 further rotates relative to the front portion of the supportbracket 31, which results in the tilt-up operation of the movable panel12 in which the rear portion of the support bracket 31 (i.e., themovable panel 12) is further raised with reference to the front portionthereof. The movable panel 12 is brought in a second tilt-up stateaccordingly.

On the other hand, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves to thevehicle rear side in the tilt-up state of the movable panel 12 (i.e., inthe first tilt-up state or the second tilt-up state), the drive shoe 21is operated substantially in reverse order from the aforementionedorder. A locking pin 35 is integrally formed at a front end portion ofthe support bracket 31 (the vertical wall portion 32) at the front sideof the guide pin 34. The locking pin 35 formed in a substantiallyelongated column projects to the vehicle outer side.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a slide check 41 is attached to the guide rail13 (the first rail portion 13 a) to be positioned adjacent to thevertical wall portion 32 at the vehicle outer side thereof. The slidecheck 41, which is made of resin material, for example, is movable inthe front-rear direction. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the slide check 41includes a shoe portion 42 and a vertical wall portion 43. The shoeportion 42 slides on the vehicle outer side portion of the first railportion 13 a at the front side of the shoe portion 22 c. The verticalwall portion 43 is formed to stand upwardly between the vertical wallportion 32 of the support bracket 31 and the guide portion 17 in thevehicle width direction. The slide check 41 is movable along the guiderail 13 in the front-rear direction by the shoe portion 42 sliding onthe vehicle outer side portion of the first rail portion 13 a in a statewhere the position of the slide check 41 in the vehicle width directionis determined by the vertical wall portion 32 and the guide portion 17those of which make contact with or come closer to the vertical wallportion 43.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a bore 43 a formed by an elongatedbore is formed at a front end portion of the vertical wall portion 43 sothat the locking pin 35 is movably fitted to the bore 43 a. The bore 43a is formed to linearly upwardly incline towards the rear side of thevehicle. The slide check 41 is connected to the support bracket 31 viathe locking pin 35 that is fitted to the bore 43 a. The slide check 41secures the aforementioned operation state of the drive shoe 21 on theguide rail 13 by the locking pin 35 that moves freely within the bore 43a in a case where the movable panel 12 supported by the support bracket31 is tilted-up or tilted-down. That is, the slide check 41 allows themovable panel 12 to be brought to the tilt-up state or the fully closedstate in association with the movement of the drive shoe 21 in thefront-rear direction by the locking pin 35 that moves freely within thebore 43 a. In addition, in a case where the tilt operation of themovable panel 12 is prohibited, the slide check 41 restricts themovement of the locking pin 35 (the support bracket 31) in thefront-rear direction at the bore 43 a. Accordingly, the slide check 41integrally moves with the movable panel 12 that is supported by thesupport bracket 31 in the front-rear direction (corresponding to theslide operation) by moving in the front-rear direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the slide check 41 includes a build-upportion 44 formed in a substantially quarter column connecting the shoeportion 42 and the vertical wall portion 43 at a lower side of the guideportion 17. The build-up portion 44 includes a support recess portion 44a in a substantially circular form recessed from a rear end surface ofthe build-up portion 44 towards the vehicle front side. A support shaft45 formed in a substantially column of which a center line extends inthe front-rear direction is inserted to be positioned within the supportrecess portion 44 a in a non-rotatable manner. As illustrated in FIGS.2A and 2B, a rotation check 46 substantially in a disc form is supportedat a front end portion of the support shaft 45 that projects from theslide check 41 so as to be disposed adjacent to the slide check 41.Accordingly, an axis line of the rotation check 46 coincides with thecenter line of the support shaft 45.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the rotation check 46 includes an engagementprojection 46 a in a substantially sawtooth form at a predeterminedangular position (i.e., an angular position to the right in FIG. 3B)with reference to the support shaft 45 to project radially outwardly. Inaddition, the rotation check 46 includes a pressed portion 46 b in atriangular tooth form at a predetermined angular position (i.e., anangular position to the left in FIG. 3B) with reference to the supportshaft 45 to project radially outwardly. As illustrated by a chaindouble-dashed line in FIG. 3B, the engagement projection 46 a engageswith the engagement groove 19 a of the guide block 19 and the pressedportion 46 b makes contact with or comes closer to a bottom surface ofthe first rail portion 13 a and an outer side surface of the projectionwall portion 24 in the fully closed state of the movable panel 12, forexample. Thus, in the fully closed state of the movable panel 12, therotation check 46 is restricted to rotate by the bottom surface of thefirst rail portion 13 a, for example, in a state where the engagementprojection 46 a engages with the engagement groove 19 a of the guideblock 19. The rotation check 46 is inhibited from moving in thefront-rear direction and the slide check 41 is also inhibited frommoving in the front-rear direction together with the rotation check 46.In addition, the support bracket 31 connected to the slide check 41 viathe bore 43 a, for example, is inhibited from moving in the front-reardirection so that the movable panel 12 is only allowed to move from thefully closed state to the tilt-up state. The guide block 19, the slidecheck 41, the rotation check 46, and the like constitute a checkmechanism 40.

As mentioned above, the engagement recess portion 28 is formed at theprojection wall portion 24 of the drive shoe 21. Thus, in a case wherethe engagement recess portion 28 reaches a position at which the pressedportion 46 b is provided in association with the movement of the driveshoe 21 in the front direction of the vehicle, the rotation check 46 isallowed to rotate within the engagement recess portion 28. In theaforementioned state, when the rotation check 46 moves together with thedrive shoe 21 in the rear direction of the vehicle, the rotation check46 rotates in a clockwise direction as illustrated by a solid line inFIG. 3B because the engagement projection 46 a is guided by theengagement groove 19 a. Then, the engagement projection 46 a entersbelow the guide portion 17 to be sandwiched between the guide portion 17and the first rail portion 13 a. The rotation of the rotation check 46is restricted accordingly. At the same time, the pressed portion 46 bengages with the engagement recess portion 28. At this time, the pressedportion 46 b is disposed on a movement locus of the restriction portion28 a of the drive shoe 21 in the front-rear direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, an enlarged diameter portion 45 asubstantially in a disc form is formed at a rear end of the supportshaft 45. A rotation cam 48 is supported at a rear end portion of thesupport shaft 45 to be disposed adjacent to the enlarged diameterportion 45 a at the front side thereof. The rotation cam 48, which ismade of resin material, for example, serves as a second member. Therotation cam 48 includes a body portion 48 a in a substantiallycylindrical form that includes an inner diameter substantially equal toan outer diameter of the support shaft 45 and an outer diametersubstantially equal to an outer diameter of the enlarged diameterportion 45 a. The rotation cam 48 is supported at the support shaft 45via the body portion 48 a. Accordingly, an axis line of the rotation cam48 coincides with the center line of the support shaft 45. That is, therotation cam 48 is disposed to be coaxial with the rotation check 46.

A coil spring 47 is wound on the support shaft 45 between the rotationcheck 46 and the rotation cam 48. The coil spring 47 is compressed inthe front-rear direction corresponding to an axial direction of the coilspring 47. The coil spring 47 biases the rotation check 46 in adirection where the rotation check 46 makes contact with the slide check41 and biases the rotation cam 48 in a direction where the rotation cam48 makes contact with the enlarged diameter portion 45 a. The rotationcam 48 is inhibited from disengaging rearward of the vehicle by theenlarged diameter portion 45 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the rotation cam 48 includes a pair of secondcam teeth 48 b formed to project at an outer peripheral surface of thebody portion 48 a. Each of the second cam teeth 48 b is formed in asubstantially isosceles trapezoid where each long side and each shortside extend in the front-rear direction. The pair of second cam teeth 48b faces each other in a radial direction of the rotation cam 48 relativeto the axis line thereof. Each of the second cam teeth 48 b extendswithin a range of a smaller angle (i.e., 45° in the present embodiment)than a predetermined angle (i.e., 90° in the present embodiment) in acircumferential direction of the rotation cam 48 relative to the axisline thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a fixation cam 51 made of resin material, forexample, and serving as a first member is placed at the drive shoe 21 ina state to bridge between the connection wall portions 25 and 26. Asillustrated in FIG. 2A, the fixation cam 51 is disposed away from therotation cam 48 in a state where the drive shoe 21 is disposed at aposition that is achieved when the movable panel 12 is shifted at leastfrom the fully closed state to the first tilt-up state. As illustratedin FIG. 2B, positions of the fixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48 inthe front-rear direction overlap each other in a state where the driveshoe 21 is disposed at a position that is achieved when the movablepanel 12 is shifted to the second tilt-up state. The fixation cam 51includes a first fixation member 52 in a substantially cylindrical formwith a bottom and a second fixation member 53 in a substantiallycylindrical form. The first fixation member 52 is disposed at a sideaway from the slide check 41 while the second fixation member 53 isdisposed at a side closer to the slide check 41.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, plural first cam teeth 52 a formed bysubstantially triangular teeth are formed at a front end portion (i.e.,an opening end portion) of the first fixation member 52 so as to bedisposed at each aforementioned predetermined angle (i.e., 90°) aroundan axis line of the first fixation member 52 in a state to protrude andto be recessed (in a projection and recess manner) in an axial directionthereof. A pair of open portions 53 a is formed at an inner peripheralportion of the second fixation member 53 so that each of the openportions 31 a is continuously formed along an axial direction thereof.The open portions 53 a face each other in a radial direction of thesecond fixation member 53. A rear end portion of each of the openportions 53 a at an upper side in FIG. 5 is gradually inclined to expandtowards the rear end to thereby form a guide portion 53 b. Each of theopen portions 53 a that is continuously formed over an entire axiallength of the second fixation member 53 extends within the range of theequal angle (i.e., 45°) to each of the first cam teeth 52 a in thecircumferential direction relative to the axis line of the fixation cam51. Each of the open portions 53 a including the guide portion 53 bextends within the range of the aforementioned predetermined angle(i.e., 90°) in the circumferential direction.

A pair of locking portions 53 c is formed at a rear end portion (i.e.,an opening end portion) of the second fixation member 53 between theopen portions 53 a in the circumferential direction. Each of the lockingportions 53 c is inclined to the front side from the open portion 53 atowards the guide portion 53 b. In addition, each of the lockingportions 53 c extends within the range of the aforementionedpredetermined angle (90°) in the circumferential direction relative tothe axis line of the fixation cam 51. Both apexes of the first cam teeth52 a at which the first cam teeth 52 a change the direction of extensionin the front-rear direction face circumferentially intermediate portionsof the locking portions 53 c in the front-rear direction. That is, aphase difference of a predetermined angle smaller than theaforementioned predetermined angle (90°) is specified between bothapexes of the locking portions 53 c at which the locking portions 53 cchange the direction of extension in the front-rear direction and theboth apexes of the first cam teeth 52 a at which the first cam teeth 52a change the direction of extension in the front-rear direction.

In the aforementioned configuration, in a state where the rotation cam48 (the slide check 41) is disposed away from the fixation cam 51 in thefront-rear direction (for example, until the movable panel 12 is shiftedto the first tilt-up state from the fully closed state), angularpositions of the second cam teeth 48 b are retained by a biasing forceof the coil spring 47, for example, so as to coincide with angularpositions of the open portions 53 a. Therefore, in a case where thefixation cam 51 moves in the front direction of the vehicle togetherwith the drive shoe 21 so as to shift the movable panel 12 to thetilt-up state, the second cam teeth 48 b pass through the open portions53 a to be pressed by the first cam teeth 52 a because a moving path (apath) of the second cam teeth 48 b to the first cam teeth 52 a is openedby the open portions 53 a as illustrated in FIG. 5. At this time, thesecond cam teeth 48 b are guided by the first cam teeth 52 a to rotateby the aforementioned phase difference between the locking portions 53 cand the first cam teeth 52 a. Accordingly, in a case where the fixationcam 51 thereafter moves in the rear direction of the vehicle togetherwith the drive shoe 21, the moving path of the second cam teeth 48 b tothe first cam teeth 52 a (a path for retracting from the first cam teeth52 a) is closed by the locking portions 53 c.

Accordingly, in a case where the fixation cam 51 moves in the reardirection of the vehicle together with the drive shoe 21 so that themovable panel 12 slides rearward of the vehicle (i.e., an openingoperation is performed), the second cam teeth 48 b are guided to rotateby the locking portions 53 c to engage therewith as illustrated in FIG.5. As a result, the rotation cam 48 and the fixation cam 51 engage witheach other by a pressing effect between the fixation cam 51 and therotation cam 48 so that the slide check 41 integrally moves to thevehicle rear side. In addition, the support bracket 31 that is connectedto the slide check 41 via the locking pin 35 also integrally moves inthe rear direction of the vehicle. The rotation cam 48, the fixation cam51, and the like constitute an engagement and disengagement switchingmechanism 50.

The guide block 19 and the slide check 41 will be explained in detail.As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a retention portion 61 in asubstantially block form is formed at a front end portion of the guideblock 19 to be positioned between the first rail portion 13 a and theguide portion 17 in the vehicle height direction. The retention portion61 protrudes to the vehicle inner side. A rear end surface of theretention portion 61 forms a contact surface 61 a serving as a secondcontact surface expanding in a substantially planar form.

A front end surface of the build-up portion 44 of the slide check 41expanding in a substantially planar form forms a contact surface 44 bserving as a first contact surface that faces the contact surface 61 ain the front-rear direction. The slide check 41 also includes a holdingpiece 62 protruding forward from a lower portion of the contact surface44 b. The holding piece 62 includes an extension portion 62 a extendingin a substantially rectangular plate form in the front direction of thevehicle in a state to be supported in a cantilevered manner at a lowerportion of the contact surface 44 b, and a hook portion 62 b in asubstantially triangular form formed at a front end of the extensionportion 62 a. The retention portion 61 and the holding piece 62constitute a holding mechanism.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the fully closed state of the movable panel12, for example, the extension portion 62 a extends forward along alower surface of the retention portion 61 and the hook portion 62 b ishooked at and engaged with a front end surface of the retention portion61. Accordingly, the slide check 41 is slightly restricted from movingin the rear direction of the vehicle relative to the guide block 19.Therefore, in a case where a force for moving the slide check 41 in therear direction relative to the guide block 19 is equal to or smallerthan a predetermined level, the holding piece 62 restricts the movementof the slide check 41 in the rear direction. In a case where a force formoving the slide check 41 in the rear direction relative to the guideblock 19 is greater than the predetermined level, the holding piece 62is deformed to bend with reference to a connection portion with thecontact surface 44 b so that the hook portion 62 b disengages from thefront end surface of the retention portion 61. As a result, the slidecheck 41 is allowed to move in the rear direction relative to the guideblock 19.

In the fully closed state of the movable panel 12, the contact surface44 b of the build-up portion 44 is in contact with the contact surface61 a of the retention portion 61. Accordingly, the slide check 41 isrestricted from moving in the front direction of the vehicle relative tothe guide block 19. At this time, the engagement projection 46 a of therotation check 46 is engaged with and fitted to the engagement groove 19a of the guide block 19, however, a front end surface of the engagementprojection 46 a is inhibited from making contact with an opposingsurface of the engagement groove 19 a. That is, in a case where theslide check 41 and the rotation check 46 move in the front directionrelative to the guide block 19, the contact surface 44 b makes contactwith the contact surface 61 a of the retention portion 61 without acontact of the front end surface of the engagement projection 46 a tothe opposing surface of the engagement groove 19 a so as to restrict themovement of the slide check 41 and the rotation check 46 relative to theguide block 19 in the front direction. In a case where it is assumedthat the front end surface of the engagement projection 46 a is incontact with the opposing surface of the engagement groove 19 a when theslide check 41 and the rotation check 46 move relative to the guideblock 19 in the front direction so as to restrict the aforementionedmovement of the slide check 41 and the rotation check 46, sufficientstrength may be required for the engagement projection 46 a (therotation check 46).

The operation of the sunroof apparatus 11 in the embodiment will beexplained. In the fully closed state of the movable panel 12, therotation check 46 is restricted from rotating by the bottom surface ofthe first rail portion 13 a, for example, in a state where theengagement projection 46 a is fitted to the engagement groove 19 a ofthe guide block 19. Therefore, the movement of the rotation check 46 inthe rear direction is restricted and also the movement of the slidecheck 41 in the rear direction is restricted together with the rotationcheck 46. Further, because the contact surface 44 b of the slide check41 is in contact with the contact surface 61 a of the guide block 19,the slide check 41 is restricted from moving in the front direction. Therotation check 46 is also restricted from moving in the front direction,together with the slide check 41. Accordingly, the slide check 41 andthe rotation check 46 are restricted from moving in the front-reardirection. Because the support bracket 31 that is connected to the slidecheck 41 via the bore 43 a, for example, is restricted from moving inthe front-rear direction, the movable panel 12 is only allowed to betilted up i.e., the rear portion of the support bracket 31 is lifted upwith reference to the front portion thereof.

In the aforementioned state, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves inthe front direction of the vehicle, the locking pin 35 moves freelywithin the bore 43 a of the slide check 41 so as to move upward alongthe bore 43 a. In addition, the guide pin 34 guided by the guide groove30 moves upward at the first inclination portion 30 a and reaches thelinear portion 30 b. In association with the aforementioned operation,the support bracket 31 (the guide pin 34) moves upward relative to thedrive shoe 21 so that the movable panel 12 is shifted and bought to thefirst tilt-up state.

As mentioned above, in a case where the drive shoe 21 is disposed atleast at the position that is achieved in a case where the movable panel12 is shifted from the fully closed state to the first tilt-up state,the rotation cam 48 and the fixation cam 51 of the engagement anddisengagement switching mechanism 50 are positioned apart from eachother in the front-rear direction. Thus, in a case where the drive shoe21 moves in the rear direction of the vehicle in the first tilt-up stateof the movable panel 12, the locking pin 35 moves freely within the bore43 a of the slide check 41 so as to move downward along the bore 43 a.At the same time, the guide pin 34 guided by the guide groove 30 movesdownward at the first inclination portion 30 a to reach the end (lowerend) of the first inclination portion 30 a. In association with theaforementioned operation, the support bracket 31 (the guide pin 34)moves downward relative to the drive shoe 21 so that the movable panel12 is shifted to the fully closed state after tilted-down, i.e., afterthe tilt-down operation in which the rear portion of the support bracket31 (the movable panel 12) is lowered with reference to the front portionthereof. That is, as long as the movable panel 12 is shifted between thefully closed state and the first tilt-up state, the movable panel 12 isonly tilted (tilted-up and tilted-down) in association with the movementof the drive shoe 21 in the front-rear direction.

On the other hand, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves further inthe front direction of the vehicle in the first tilt-up state of themovable panel 12, the locking pin 35 moves freely within the bore 43 aof the slide check 41 so as to further move upward along the bore 43 a.In addition, the guide pin 34 guided by the guide groove 30 moves up atthe second inclination portion 30 c to reach the end (upper end)thereof. In association with the aforementioned operation, the supportbracket 31 (the guide pin 34) moves further upward relative to the driveshoe 21 to thereby shift the movable panel 12 to the second tilt-upstate. Further, in association with the movement of the drive shoe 21 inthe front direction of the vehicle, the engagement recess portion 28reaches the position at which the pressed portion 46 b of the rotationcheck 46 is provided, thereby allowing the rotation of the rotationcheck 46.

At this time, the positions of the rotation cam 48 and the fixation cam51 of the engagement and disengagement switching mechanism 50 overlapeach other in the front-rear direction. Thus, the second cam teeth 48 bof the rotation cam 48 pass through the open portions 53 a of thefixation cam 51 to be pressed by the first cam teeth 52 a because themoving path of the second cam teeth 48 b to the first cam teeth 52 a iscleared and opened by the open portions 53 a. Then, the second cam teeth48 b are guided by the first cam teeth 52 a to rotate by theaforementioned phase difference between the locking portions 53 c andthe first cam teeth 52 a.

Thereafter, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves in the reardirection of the vehicle, the second cam teeth 48 b of the rotation cam48 are guided to rotate by the locking portions 53 c of the secondfixation member 53 to engage with the locking portions 53 c. Because ofthe engagement between the rotation cam 48 and the fixation cam 51, therotation check 46 and the slide check 41 attempt and try to integrallymove with the fixation cam 51 in the rear direction of the vehicle.

At this time, because the drive shoe 21 moves in the rear direction inthe engagement state between the rotation cam 48 and the fixation cam51, the force for moving the slide check 41 in the rear directionrelative to the guide block 19 exceeds the predetermined level.Accordingly, the holding piece 62, which is elastically deformed,releases the holding of the slide check 41 relative to the guide block19. The slide check 41 is movable together with the rotation check 46 inthe rear direction of the vehicle.

In association with the aforementioned operation, the engagementprojection 46 a of the rotation check 46, the rotation check 46 beingallowed to rotate within the engagement recess portion 28, rotates andenters below the guide portion 17 while being guided by the engagementgroove 19 a of the guide block 19. The rotation check 46 is restrictedfrom rotating in the aforementioned state, i.e., maintains theaforementioned state. Accordingly, the restriction of movement of theslide check 41 in the rear direction is released and also therestriction of movement of the support bracket 31 connected to the slidecheck 41 via the bore 43 a, for example, in the rear direction isreleased. At the same time, the pressed portion 46 b of the rotationcheck 46 enters the engagement recess portion 28 to be disposed on themovement locus of the restriction portion 28 a in the front-reardirection.

Accordingly, when the drive shoe 21 moves to the vehicle rear side, therotation check 46 and the slide check 41 integrally move with thefixation cam 51 in the rear direction. At this time, because a distancein the front-rear direction between the rotation check 46 (the slidecheck 41) and the fixation cam 51 is kept constant, a distance betweenthe drive shoe 21 and the support bracket 31 in the front-rear directionis kept constant. Thus, the movable panel 12 supported by the supportbracket 31 moves in the rear direction of the vehicle while being heldin the second tilt-up state to thereby open the opening 10 a. Themovable panel 12 is brought to the open state accordingly.

In the open state of the movable panel 12, the rotation of the rotationcheck 46 is restricted in a state where the engagement projection 46 aenters below the guide portion 17. The pressed portion 46 b of therotation check 46 is disposed on the moving locus of the restrictionportion 28 a in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, in theaforementioned state, when the drive shoe 21 moves in the frontdirection of the vehicle, the restriction portion 28 a presses thepressed portion 46 b so that the slide check 41 together with therotation check 46 integrally moves with the drive shoe 21 in the frontdirection. The integral movement of the slide check 41 with the driveshoe 21 is obtained so that the second cam teeth 48 b of the rotationcam 48 and the first cam teeth 52 a of the first fixation member 52 aredisposed apart from each other in the front-rear direction to inhibitthe first cam teeth 52 a from pressing the second cam teeth 48 b in acase where the drive shoe 21 moves in the front direction of the vehiclein the open state of the movable panel 12. Even in this case, because ofthe constant distance in the front-rear direction between the slidecheck 41 and the fixation cam 51, the distance in the front-reardirection between the drive shoe 21 and the support bracket 31 ismaintained to be constant. As a result, the movable panel 12 supportedby the support bracket 31 closes the opening 10 a while being maintainedin the second tilt-up state.

In association with the closing operation of the movable panel 12, themovable panel 12 approaches an initial state (restored state) where themovable panel 12 is shifted to the second tilt-up state. Then, theengagement projection 46 a is guided by the engagement groove 19 a sothat the rotation check 46 rotates in a state where the engagementprojection 46 a enters an upper end portion of the engagement groove 19a while the pressed portion 46 b disengages from the engagement recessportion 28.

The contact surface 44 b of the slide check 41 makes contact with thecontact surface 61 a of the guide block 19 to thereby restrict themovement of the slide check 41 in the front direction. The rotationcheck 46 is also restricted from moving together with the slide check 41in the front direction. Then, the support bracket 31 connected to theslide check 41 via the bore 43 a, for example, is restricted from movingin the front direction. At this time, the hook portion 62 b of theholding piece 62 is pressed against the lower surface of the retentionportion 61 and thus the extension portion 62 a is deformed to bend withreference to the contact portion with the contact surface 44 b. At thesame time, in association with a passing of the hook portion 62 bthrough the retention portion 61, the extension portion 62 a iselastically returned so that the hook portion 62 b is hooked at thefront end surface of the retention portion 61. Accordingly, the slidecheck 41 is slightly restricted, together with the rotation check 46,from moving in the rear direction relative to the guide block 19.

In the aforementioned configuration, when the drive shoe 21 movesfurther in the front direction of the vehicle, the engagement recessportion 28 passes through the pressed portion 46 b and the outer sidesurface of the projection wall portion 24 at the vehicle outer sidemakes contact with or comes closer to the pressed portion 46 b, therebyrestricting the rotation of the rotation check 46 in a direction wherethe engagement projection 46 a disengages from the engagement groove 19a. At the same time, the fixation cam 51 moves further forward relativeto the rotation cam 48 which is restricted from rotating forwardtogether with the slide check 41. Then, the first cam teeth 52 a pressthe second cam teeth 48 b so that the second cam teeth 48 b are guidedby the first cam teeth 52 a to rotate by the phase difference betweenthe locking portions 53 c and the first cam teeth 52 a. Accordingly, ina case where the fixation cam 51 thereafter moves in the rear directionof the vehicle together with the drive shoe 21, the second cam teeth 48b are guided to rotate by the guide portions 53 b, and the moving pathof the second cam teeth 48 b (the path for retracting from the first camteeth 52 a) to the first cam teeth 52 a is opened by the open portions53 a. While the second cam teeth 48 b pass through the open portions 53a, the rotation cam 48 releases the engagement with the second fixationmember 53 (the fixation cam 51). The fixation cam 51 moves in the reardirection of the vehicle together with the drive shoe 21 while leaving,i.e., not together with, the rotation cam 48, and the like.

At this time, the locking pin 35 moves freely within the bore 43 a ofthe slide check 41 so as to move downward along the bore 43 a and theguide pin 34 is guided to move downward along the guide groove 30. As aresult, the movable panel 12 is tilted-down and brought to the fullyclosed state via the first tilt-up state.

In a case where the drive shoe 21 moves in the rear direction of thevehicle immediately after the engagement between the rotation cam 48 andthe fixation cam 51 is released, the engagement recess portion 28 againreaches the pressed portion 46 b so that the rotation of the rotationcheck 46 in the direction where the engagement projection 46 adisengages from the engagement groove 19 a is tentatively permitted. Inaddition, the movable panel 12 pressed by the guide pin 34 so as to betilted-down is in a state to move in the rear direction because of acomponent force for moving the movable panel 12 in the rear direction.Nevertheless, the slide check 41 is slightly restricted from movingrelative to the guide block 19 in the rear direction by the holdingpiece 62. Therefore, the movable panel 12 and the rotation check 46 areinhibited from moving in the rear direction and the rotation of therotation check 46 in the direction where the engagement projection 46 adisengages from the engagement groove 19 a is maintained to berestricted.

According to the embodiment, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves inthe front direction of the vehicle in the fully closed state of themovable panel 12, the movable panel 12 is brought to and shifted to thefirst tilt-up state because of the restriction of the movement of themovable panel 12 in the front-rear direction, together with the slidecheck 41, by the rotation check 46. In a case where the drive shoe 21moves further in the front direction in the first tilt-up state of themovable panel 12, the rotation of the rotation check 46 is allowed. Therotation check 46 is then guided to rotate so that the engagementprojection 46 a disengages from the engagement groove 19 a in a casewhere the drive shoe 21 thereafter moves in the rear direction, therebyreleasing the restriction of the movement of the movable panel 12 in thefront-rear direction, together with the slide check 41, whilemaintaining the second tilt-up state of the movable panel 12. Inaddition, by the pressing effect between the fixation cam 51 and therotation cam 48, the fixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48 engage witheach other so that the movable panel 12 and the slide check 41integrally move with the drive shoe 21 in a case where the drive shoe 21moves in the rear direction after moving further in the front directionin the first tilt-up state of the movable panel 12 (i.e., in the tilt-upstate of the movable panel 12 that is obtained by the shifting from thefully closed state). According to the engagement between the fixationcam 51 and the rotation cam 48, the movable panel 12 is opened whilemaintaining the second tilt-up state in a case where the drive shoe 21moves in the rear direction. In this case, a maximum moving amount ofthe drive shoe 21 or the like that specifies the fully open state of themovable panel 12 is not restricted or constrained by a moving amount ofthe drive shoe 21 in an opposite direction (i.e., in the front directionof the vehicle) for achieving the tilt-up state of the movable panel 12.Therefore, the maximum moving amount of the drive shoe 21 or the likethat specifies the fully open state of the movable panel 12, i.e., theopening amount of the movable panel 12, may increase.

Specifically, in a case where the slide check 41 moves integrally withthe drive shoe 21 in the rear direction of the vehicle in the engagementstate between the fixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48, the holdingpiece 62 releases the holding of the slide check 41 at the guide rail 13(the guide block 19) while being deformed. Thus, the operation of theslide check 41 is not inhibited by the holding piece 62.

In a case where the drive shoe 21 moves in the front direction of thevehicle in the open state of the movable panel 12, the movable panel 12is held in the second tilt-up state while the restriction of themovement of the movable panel 12 in the front-rear direction, togetherwith the slide check 41, is released by the rotation check 46 until themovable panel 12 returns to the restored state. The movable panel 12integrally moves with the drive shoe 21, together with the slide check41, in the front direction so as to be closed while maintaining thesecond tilt-up state. In this case, the pressed portion 46 b (therestriction portion 28 a) restricts the pressing effect between thefixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48, which may avoid the operationof the engagement and disengagement switching mechanism 50 from beingunstable.

Once the movable panel 12 returns to the aforementioned restored state,the movable panel 12 together with the slide check 41 is restricted frommoving in the front-rear direction and is released from being held inthe tilt-up state. Then, when the drive shoe 21 moves in the reardirection, the rotation check 46 restricts the movement of the movablepanel 12 in the front-rear direction together with the slide check 41 sothat the movable panel 12 is shifted to the fully closed state. On theother hand, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves further in the frontdirection of the vehicle in the restored state of the movable panel 12,the restriction on the pressing effect between the fixation cam 51 andthe rotation cam 48 is released by the pressed portion 46 b.Accordingly, in a case where the drive shoe 21 thereafter moves in therear direction of the vehicle, the engagement between the fixation cam51 and the rotation cam 48 is released so that the movable panel 12 andthe slide check 41 separate from the drive shoe 21. Accordingly, by thepressing effect between the fixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48, theengagement between the fixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48 isreleased while the movement of the movable panel 12 in the front-reardirection is restricted. The movable panel 12 is thus brought in thefully closed state in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves in the reardirection of the vehicle.

Specifically, even in a case where the component force for moving themovable panel 12 in the rear direction of the vehicle is applied fromthe drive shoe 21 when the drive shoe 21 moves in the rear direction ofthe vehicle while the engagement between the fixation cam 51 and therotation cam 48 is released, the holding piece 62 holds the slide check41 towards the guide rail 30 (the guide block 19) so as to restrict themovement of the movable panel 12 together with the slide check 41 in thefront-rear direction.

In the embodiment, in a case where the rotation check 46 is guided torotate so that the engagement projection 46 a is fitted to theengagement groove 19 a during the forward movement of the drive shoe 21in the open state of the movable panel 12, the contact surface 44 b ofthe slide check 41 makes contact with the contact surface 61 a of theguide block 19. Accordingly, the movement of the slide check 41 isrestricted when the drive shoe 21 moves further in the front direction.Without the contact of the engagement projection 46 a with theengagement groove 19 a, the movement of the slide check 41 in the frontdirection may be restricted, which may lead to a reduction of necessarystrength for the engagement projection 46 a (the rotation check 46).

In the embodiment, the holding piece 62 is provided at the slide check41 and is hooked at the retention portion 61 formed at the guide block19 so that the slide check 41 is held at the guide block 19. The contactsurface 61 a of the guide block 19 is formed at the retention portion61. Accordingly, the retention portion 61 and the contact surface 61 amay be arranged at the guide block 19 in an intensive manner.

In the embodiment, the second cam teeth 48 b passing through the openportions 53 a are pressed by the first cam teeth 52 a in a case wherethe drive shoe 21 moves further in the front direction in the firsttilt-up state of the movable panel 12 and then pressed by the lockingportions 53 c when the drive shoe 21 moves in the rear direction of thevehicle. Thus, the second cam teeth 48 b rotate by the predeterminedangle (90°) to engage with the locking portions 53 c. Accordingly,because of the engagement between the locking portions 53 c and thesecond cam teeth 48 b, the fixation cam 51 engages with the rotation cam48 so that the movable panel 12 integrally moves with the drive shoe 21in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves in the rear direction of thevehicle. Accordingly, the fixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48 areengageable with each other by a simple configuration of the engagementand disengagement switching mechanism 50 in which the second cam teeth48 b which pass through the open portions 53 a are sequentially pressedby the first cam teeth 52 a and the locking portions 53 c to rotate bythe predetermined angle.

The second cam teeth 48 b is pressed by the first cam teeth 52 a in acase where the drive shoe 21 moves further in the front direction in therestored state of the movable panel 12, and are guided by the openportions 53 a (the guide portions 53 b) in a case where the drive shoe12 thereafter moves in the rear direction so that the second cam teeth48 b rotate by the predetermined angle to pass through the open portions53 a. Accordingly, the engagement between the fixation cam 51 and therotation cam 48 is released by the release of the engagement between thelocking portions 53 c and the second cam teeth 48 b, thereby separatingthe movable panel 12 together with the slide check 41 from the driveshoe 21 in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves in the rear direction.The fixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48 are engageable with eachother by a simple configuration of the engagement and disengagementswitching mechanism 50 in which the second cam teeth 48 b engaged withthe locking portions 53 c are sequentially pressed by the first camteeth 52 a and the open portions 53 a (the guide portions 53 b) torotate by the predetermined angle.

In the embodiment, the restriction of the movement of the movable panel12 in the front-rear direction and the release of the aforementionedrestriction by the check mechanism 40 are switched by the engagement anddisengagement between the engagement projection 46 a and the engagementgroove 19 a in association with the rotation of the rotation check 46around the support shaft 45. In addition, the engagement between thefixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48 is achieved by the furthermovement of the drive shoe 21 in the front direction of the vehicle,i.e., the movement of the support shaft 45 along the center linethereof, in the first-tilt up state of the movable panel 12.Accordingly, the restriction of the movement of the movable panel 12 andthe release of the restriction by the check mechanism 40, and theengagement between the fixation cam 51 and the rotation cam 48 are bothachieved in association with the movement of the drive shoe 21 in thefront-rear direction along the moving direction thereof. The rotationcam 48 and the rotation check 46 are disposed around the support shaft45 in an intensive manner to thereby achieve downsizing of the entiresunroof apparatus 11.

In the embodiment, the rotation cam 48 is rotatably connected to theslide check 41 of the check mechanism 40 so that the rotation cam 48 isdisposed at the check mechanism 40 in an intensive manner, which resultsin downsizing of the entire sunroof apparatus 11. Specifically, therotation check 46 and the second cam teeth 48 b are disposed to becoaxial with each other, which results in further downsizing of theentire sunroof apparatus 11.

In the embodiment, the maximum moving amount of the drive shoe 21 or thelike, that specifies the tilt-up state of the movable panel 12 is notlimited by the moving amount of the drive shoe 21 in the oppositedirection (i.e., in the rear direction of the vehicle) for shifting themovable panel 12 to the open state. Thus, the maximum moving amount ofthe drive shoe 21 or the like that specifies the tilt-up state of themovable panel 12, i.e., the opening amount of the movable panel 12 inthe tilt-up state, may increase.

Alliteratively, because the moving amount of the drive shoe 21 in a casewhere the movable panel 12 is shifted to the fully closed state from thetilt-up state may be sufficiently secured, a load per unit moving amountof the drive shoe 21 (a motor output) may be reduced, and enlargement ofthe electric drive source 15 may be avoided.

Specifically, in a case where a function is provided for determiningthat something is caught by in the movable panel 12 in a case wherefluctuation in rotation speed of the motor exceeds a predeterminedthreshold value (which will be hereinafter referred to as a reverserotation load) in association with the opening and closing operation ofthe movable panel 12 so as to reverse the movable panel 12, a smallfluctuation of rotation speed in a normal operation state may result ina reduction of reverse rotation load. That is, even though the reverserotation load is reduced, a possibility of wrong determination thatsomething is caught in the movable panel 12 by the aforementionedfunction may be reduced. In this case, EU regulations requiring thereverse rotation load equal to or greater than 100 N may be satisfied.The movable panel 12 may be configured to be automatically closed.

The embodiment may be modified or changed as below. The contact surfacewith which the contact surface 44 b of the slide check 41 is contactablemay be provided at an appropriate portion of the guide block 19 otherthan the retention portion 61.

In the embodiment, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves in the frontdirection of the vehicle in the open state of the movable panel 12, thecontact surface 44 b makes contact with the contact surface 61 a of theguide block 19 when the rotation check 46 is guided to rotate so thatthe engagement projection 46 a is fitted to the engagement groove 19 a.As a result, the movement of the slide check 41 or the like isrestricted. Alternatively, the front end surface of the engagementprojection 46 a of the rotation check 46 may make contact with theopposing surface of the engagement groove 19 a of the guide block 19 torestrict the movement of the slide check 41 or the like in the frontdirection of the vehicle.

The holding piece 62 of the slide check 41 may engage with anappropriate portion of the guide rail 13 instead of the guide block 19(the retention portion 61). In the embodiment, the holding piece 62provided at the slide check 41 engages with the retention portion 61 ofthe guide block 19. Alternatively, for example, the holding piece may beprovided at the guide block 19 or the guide rail 13 so as to engage withan appropriate portion of the slide check 41.

In the embodiment, the fixation cam 51 is arranged at the drive shoe 21while the rotation cam 48 is arranged at the support bracket 31 (at theedge portion of the movable panel 12 in the vehicle width direction). Atthis time, arrangement relationship between the fixation cam 51 and therotation cam 48 may be reversed.

The number of the second cam teeth 48 b and the arrangement of thesecond cam teeth 48 b of the rotation cam 48 may be appropriatelyspecified. In this case, then, the first cam teeth 52 a, for example,may be provided to match the angle range in which the second cam teeth48 b are formed. In the embodiment, the linear portion 30 b of the guidegroove 30 may be omitted.

In the embodiment, the rotation check 46 and the engagement anddisengagement switching mechanism 50 (the rotation cam 48 and thefixation cam 51) are arranged to be coaxial with each other.Alternatively, as long as axes of the rotation check 46, the rotationcam 48 and the fixation cam 51 extend in the front-rear direction, therotation check 46 and the engagement and disengagement switchingmechanism 50 (the rotation cam 48 and the fixation cam 51) are inhibitedfrom being coaxial with each other.

In a case where the movable panel 12 is shifted from the open state tothe closed state, the restriction portion 28 a presses the pressedportion 46 b of the rotation check 46. Alternatively, the restrictionportion 28 a may press an appropriate position at the movable panel 12as long as no functional problems occur, for example.

In the embodiment, as the tilt-up state of the movable panel 12, thefirst tilt-up state and the second tilt-up state in which the movablepanel 12 is further tilted-up than in the first tilt-up state arespecified. Alternatively, the posture of the movable panel 12 in a casewhere the movable panel 12 is shifted from the fully closed state andthe posture of the movable panel 12 in a case where the movable panel 12slides on the guide rail 13 may coincide with each other.

In the embodiment, a connection mode between the drive shoe 21 and thesupport bracket 31 (the movable panel 12) serves as an example. Forexample, a guide groove may be formed at the support bracket 31 (thevertical wall portion 32) in a reverse manner from the guide groove 30.Then, a guide pin that is movably fitted to the guide groove may befixedly attached to the drive shoe 21.

The guide block 19 may be integrally formed at the guide rail 13.

According to the embodiment, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves inthe front direction of the vehicle in the fully closed state of themovable panel 12, the movable panel 12 is shifted to the tilt-up state.Then, in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves in the rear direction ofthe vehicle after moving further in the front direction, the drive shoe21 and the slide check 41 engage with each other to integrally move. Themovable panel 12 is opened while maintaining the tilt-up state. In acase where the drive shoe 21 integrally moves with the slide check 41 inthe front direction in the open state of the movable panel 12, themovable panel 12 is closed while maintaining the tilt-up state. In acase where the drive shoe 21 thereafter moves in the rear directionwhile the engagement between the drive shoe 21 and the slide check 41 isreleased, the movable panel 12 is shifted to the fully closed state. Inthis case, the maximum moving amount of the drive shoe 21 or the likethat specifies the fully open state of the movable panel 12 is notrestricted or constrained by the moving amount of the drive shoe 21 inthe opposite direction (i.e., in the front direction of the vehicle) forachieving the tilt-up state of the movable panel 12. Therefore, themaximum moving amount of the drive shoe 21 or the like that specifiesthe fully open state of the movable panel 12, i.e., the opening amountof the movable panel 12, may increase.

Specifically, in a case where the drive shoe 21 and the slide check 41in the engagement state move integrally in the rear direction of thevehicle, the holding mechanism (the retention portion 61 and the holdingpiece 62) causes the slide check 41 to be movable. Thus, the operationof the slide check 41 is not inhibited.

In the embodiment, the drive shoe 21 is connected to each edge portionof the movable panel 12 in the vehicle width direction so that themovable panel 12 is brought to the tilt-up state in a case where thedrive shoe 21 moves in the front direction relative to the movable panel12 in the fully closed state of the movable panel 12, and the slidecheck 41 is connected to each edge portion of the movable panel 12 inthe vehicle width direction so as to integrally move with the movablepanel 12 in a state where the tilt operation of the movable panel 12 isallowed. The sunroof apparatus 11 further includes the guide block 19provided at the guide rail 13 and including the engagement groove 19 a,the rotation check 46 rotatably connected to the slide check 41 andincluding the engagement projection 46 a that is configured to be fittedto the engagement groove 19 a, the rotation check 46 being restrictedfrom rotating in a state where the engagement projection 46 a is fittedto the engagement groove 19 a in the fully closed state of the movablepanel 12 and bringing the movable panel 12 to the tilt-up state byrestricting the movement of the slide check 41 in a case where the driveshoe 21 moves in the front direction, the rotation check 46 beingpermitted to rotate in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves further inthe front direction and guided to rotate so that the engagementprojection 46 a is disengaged from the engagement groove 19 a in a casewhere the drive shoe 21 thereafter moves in the rear direction torelease the restriction of the movement of the slide check 41 while thetilt-up state of the movable panel 12 is maintained, the rotation check46 being guided to rotate so that the engagement projection 46 a isfitted to the engagement groove 19 a in a case where the drive shoe 21moves in the front direction in the open state of the movable panel 12and restricting the movement of the slide check 41 in a case where thedrive shoe 21 moves further in the front direction, an engagement anddisengagement switching mechanism 50 including the first member 51supported by one of each edge portion of the movable panel 12 in thevehicle width direction and the drive shoe 21 and the second member 48supported by the other of the each edge portion of the movable panel 12in the vehicle width direction and the drive shoe 21, the engagement anddisengagement switching mechanism 50 bringing the first member 51 andthe second member 48 to engage with each other by the pressing effectbetween the first member 51 and the second member 48 so that the slidecheck 41 integrally moves with the drive shoe 21 in a case where thedrive shoe 21 moves in the rear direction after moving further in thefront direction in the tilt-up state of the movable panel 12 that isobtained by the shifting from the fully closed state, and therestriction portion 28 a restricting the pressing effect between thefirst member 51 and the second member 48 until the movable panel 12returns to the restored state in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves inthe front direction in the open state of the movable panel 12, therestored state corresponding to a state in which the movable panel 12 isshifted to the tilt-up state from the fully closed state, therestriction portion 28 a releasing the restriction of the pressingeffect between the first member 51 and the second member 48 by a furthermovement of the drive shoe 21 in the front direction and releasing theengagement between the first member 51 and the second member 48 so thatthe slide check 41 is separated from the drive shoe 21 in a case wherethe drive shoe 21 thereafter moves in the rear direction. The holdingmechanism includes the holding piece 62 provided at least at one of theslide check 41 and the guide rail 13, the holding piece 62 holding theslide check 41 relative to the guide rail 13 in a state where theengagement between the first member 51 and the second member 48 isreleased and releasing the holding of the slide check 41 relative to theguide rail 13 by being elastically deformed in the engagement statebetween the first member 51 and the second member 48 in a case where thedrive shoe 21 moves in the rear direction.

In the embodiment, the slide check 41 includes the contact surface 44 bthat makes contact with the contact surface 61 a of the guide block 19in a case where the rotation check 46 is guided to rotate so that theengagement projection 46 a is fitted to the engagement groove 19 aduring the movement of the drive shoe 21 in the front direction in theopen state of the movable panel 12 to restrict the movement of the slidecheck 41 in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves further in the frontdirection.

In addition, in the embodiment, the holding piece 62 is provided at theslide check 41 and is configured to be hooked at the retention portion61 formed at the guide block 19 to hold the slide check 41 relative tothe guide block 13, the contact surface 61 a being formed at theretention portion 61.

Further, in the embodiment, the first member 51 includes the firstfixation member 52 including the plurality of first cam teeth 52 adisposed at every predetermined angle around the axis line that extendsin the front-rear direction and formed in a projection and recess mannerin a direction of the axis line, the first member 51 including thesecond fixation member 53 that is disposed at a side of the firstfixation member 52 facing the second member 48 and that includes theopen portion 53 a configured to open the pass to the first cam teeth 52a and the locking portion 53 c configured to close the path to the firstcam teeth 52 a, each of the open portion 53 a and the locking portion 53c being disposed at the every predetermined angle around the axis line.The second member 48 is connected to be rotatable about the axis lineand includes the second cam tooth 48 b, the second cam tooth 48 bpassing through the open portion 53 a to be pressed by one of the firstcam teeth 52 a in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves further in thefront direction in the tilt-up state of the movable panel 12 and beingpressed by the locking portion 53 c in a case where the drive shoe 21thereafter moves in the rear direction so that the second cam tooth 48 brotates by the predetermined angle to engage with the locking portion 53c, the second cam tooth 48 b being pressed by one of the first cam teeth52 a in a case where the drive shoe 21 moves further in the frontdirection in the restored state of the movable panel 12 and is guided tothe open portion 53 a in a case where the drive shoe 21 thereafter movesin the rear direction so that the second cam tooth 48 b rotates by thepredetermined angle to pass through the open portion 53 a.

The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of thepresent invention have been described in the foregoing specification.However, the invention which is intended to be protected is not to beconstrued as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further,the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrativerather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others,and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit andscope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embracedthereby.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A sunroof apparatus for a vehicle,comprising: a movable panel configured to open and close an openingformed at a roof of a vehicle; a guide rail provided at each edgeportion of the opening in a vehicle width direction and being extendedin a front-rear direction of the vehicle; a first sliding member drivenby a drive source to move along the guide rail and connected to eachedge portion of the movable panel in the vehicle width direction; asecond sliding member integrally movable with the movable panel in astate where a tilt operation of the movable panel is allowed; themovable panel being configured to be shifted to a tilt-up state in acase where the first sliding member moves in a front direction of thevehicle in a fully closed state of the movable panel and to be openedwhile being maintained in the tilt-up state by an integral movement ofthe first sliding member with the second sliding member caused by anengagement between the first sliding member and the second slidingmember in a case where the first sliding member moves in a reardirection of the vehicle after moving further in the front direction,the movable panel being configured to be closed in a case where thefirst sliding member integrally moves with the second sliding member inthe front direction in an open state of the movable panel and to beshifted to the fully closed state in a case where the first slidingmember thereafter moves in the rear direction while the engagementbetween the first sliding member and the second sliding member isreleased, and a holding mechanism configured to stop a movement of thesecond sliding member in a state where the engagement between the firstsliding member and the second sliding member is released and to causethe second sliding member to be movable in the engagement state betweenthe first sliding member and the second sliding member in a case wherethe first sliding member moves in the rear direction.
 2. The sunroofapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sliding member isconnected to the each edge portion of the movable panel in the vehiclewidth direction so that the movable panel is brought to the tilt-upstate in a case where the first sliding member moves in the frontdirection relative to the movable panel in the fully closed state of themovable panel, and the second sliding member is connected to the eachedge portion of the movable panel in the vehicle width direction so asto integrally move with the movable panel in a state where the tiltoperation of the movable panel is allowed, the sunroof apparatus furtherincluding: a guide block provided at the guide rail and including anengagement groove; a rotation check rotatably connected to the secondsliding member and including an engagement projection that is configuredto be fitted to the engagement groove, the rotation check beingrestricted from rotating in a state where the engagement projection isfitted to the engagement groove in the fully closed state of the movablepanel and bringing the movable panel to the tilt-up state by restrictingthe movement of the second sliding member in a case where the firstsliding member moves in the front direction, the rotation check beingpermitted to rotate in a case where the first sliding member movesfurther in the front direction and guided to rotate so that theengagement projection is disengaged from the engagement groove in a casewhere the first sliding member thereafter moves in the rear direction torelease the restriction of the movement of the second sliding memberwhile the tilt-up state of the movable panel is maintained, the rotationcheck being guided to rotate so that the engagement projection is fittedto the engagement groove in a case where the first sliding member movesin the front direction in the open state of the movable panel andrestricting the movement of the second sliding member in a case wherethe first sliding member moves further in the front direction; anengagement and disengagement switching mechanism including a firstmember supported by one of the each edge portion of the movable panel inthe vehicle width direction and the first sliding member and a secondmember supported by the other of the each edge portion of the movablepanel in the vehicle width direction and the first sliding member, theengagement and disengagement switching mechanism bringing the firstmember and the second member to engage with each other by a pressingeffect between the first member and the second member so that the secondsliding member integrally moves with the first sliding member in a casewhere the first sliding member moves in the rear direction after movingfurther in the front direction in the tilt-up state of the movable panelthat is obtained by a shifting from the fully closed state; and arestriction portion restricting the pressing effect between the firstmember and the second member until the movable panel returns to arestored state in a case where the first sliding member moves in thefront direction in the open state of the movable panel, the restoredstate corresponding to a state in which the movable panel is shifted tothe tilt-up state from the fully closed state, the restriction portionreleasing the restriction of the pressing effect between the firstmember and the second member by a further movement of the first slidingmember in the front direction and releasing the engagement between thefirst member and the second member so that the second sliding member isseparated from the first sliding member in a case where the firstsliding member thereafter moves in the rear direction, wherein theholding mechanism includes a holding piece provided at least at one ofthe second sliding member and the guide rail, the holding piece holdingthe second sliding member relative to the guide rail in a state wherethe engagement between the first member and the second member isreleased and releasing the holding of the second sliding member relativeto the guide rail by being elastically deformed in the engagement statebetween the first member and the second member in a case where the firstsliding member moves in the rear direction.
 3. The sunroof apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the second sliding member includes a firstcontact surface that makes contact with a second contact surface of theguide block in a case where the rotation check is guided to rotate sothat the engagement projection is fitted to the engagement groove duringthe movement of the first sliding member in the front direction in theopen state of the movable panel to restrict the movement of the secondsliding member in a case where the first sliding member moves further inthe front direction.
 4. The sunroof apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the holding piece is provided at the second sliding member andis configured to be hooked at a retention portion formed at the guideblock to hold the second sliding member relative to the guide block, thesecond contact surface being formed at the retention portion.
 5. Thesunroof apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first memberincludes a first fixation member including a plurality of first camteeth disposed at every predetermined angle around an axis line thatextends in the front-rear direction and formed in a projection andrecess manner in a direction of the axis line, the first memberincluding a second fixation member that is disposed at a side of thefirst fixation member facing the second member and that includes an openportion configured to open a pass to the first cam teeth and a lockingportion configured to close the path to the first cam teeth, each of theopen portion and the locking portion being disposed at the everypredetermined angle around the axis line, and the second member isconnected to be rotatable about the axis line and includes a second camtooth, the second cam tooth passing through the open portion to bepressed by one of the first cam teeth in a case where the first slidingmember moves further in the front direction in the tilt-up state of themovable panel and being pressed by the locking portion in a case wherethe first sliding member thereafter moves in the rear direction so thatthe second cam tooth rotates by the predetermined angle to engage withthe locking portion, the second cam tooth being pressed by one of thefirst cam teeth in a case where the first sliding member moves furtherin the front direction in the restored state of the movable panel and isguided to the open portion in a case where the first sliding memberthereafter moves in the rear direction so that the second cam toothrotates by the predetermined angle to pass through the open portion. 6.The sunroof apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first memberincludes a first fixation member including a plurality of first camteeth disposed at every predetermined angle around an axis line thatextends in the front-rear direction and formed in a projection andrecess manner in a direction of the axis line, the first memberincluding a second fixation member that is disposed at a side of thefirst fixation member facing the second member and that includes an openportion configured to open a pass to the first cam teeth and a lockingportion configured to close the path to the first cam teeth, each of theopen portion and the locking portion being disposed at the everypredetermined angle around the axis line, and the second member isconnected to be rotatable about the axis line and includes a second camtooth, the second cam tooth passing through the open portion to bepressed by one of the first cam teeth in a case where the first slidingmember moves further in the front direction in the tilt-up state of themovable panel and being pressed by the locking portion in a case wherethe first sliding member thereafter moves in the rear direction so thatthe second cam tooth rotates by the predetermined angle to engage withthe locking portion, the second cam tooth being pressed by one of thefirst cam teeth in a case where the first sliding member moves furtherin the front direction in the restored state of the movable panel and isguided to the open portion in a case where the first sliding memberthereafter moves in the rear direction so that the second cam toothrotates by the predetermined angle to pass through the open portion. 7.The sunroof apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first memberincludes a first fixation member including a plurality of first camteeth disposed at every predetermined angle around an axis line thatextends in the front-rear direction and formed in a projection andrecess manner in a direction of the axis line, the first memberincluding a second fixation member that is disposed at a side of thefirst fixation member facing the second member and that includes an openportion configured to open a pass to the first cam teeth and a lockingportion configured to close the path to the first cam teeth, each of theopen portion and the locking portion being disposed at the everypredetermined angle around the axis line, and the second member isconnected to be rotatable about the axis line and includes a second camtooth, the second cam tooth passing through the open portion to bepressed by one of the first cam teeth in a case where the first slidingmember moves further in the front direction in the tilt-up state of themovable panel and being pressed by the locking portion in a case wherethe first sliding member thereafter moves in the rear direction so thatthe second cam tooth rotates by the predetermined angle to engage withthe locking portion, the second cam tooth being pressed by one of thefirst cam teeth in a case where the first sliding member moves furtherin the front direction in the restored state of the movable panel and isguided to the open portion in a case where the first sliding memberthereafter moves in the rear direction so that the second cam toothrotates by the predetermined angle to pass through the open portion. 8.The sunroof apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first memberincludes a first fixation member including a plurality of first camteeth disposed at every predetermined angle around an axis line thatextends in the front-rear direction and formed in a projection andrecess manner in a direction of the axis line, the first memberincluding a second fixation member that is disposed at a side of thefirst fixation member facing the second member and that includes an openportion configured to open a pass to the first cam teeth and a lockingportion configured to close the path to the first cam teeth, each of theopen portion and the locking portion being disposed at the everypredetermined angle around the axis line, and the second member isconnected to be rotatable about the axis line and includes a second camtooth, the second cam tooth passing through the open portion to bepressed by one of the first cam teeth in a case where the first slidingmember moves further in the front direction in the tilt-up state of themovable panel and being pressed by the locking portion in a case wherethe first sliding member thereafter moves in the rear direction so thatthe second cam tooth rotates by the predetermined angle to engage withthe locking portion, the second cam tooth being pressed by one of thefirst cam teeth in a case where the first sliding member moves furtherin the front direction in the restored state of the movable panel and isguided to the open portion in a case where the first sliding memberthereafter moves in the rear direction so that the second cam toothrotates by the predetermined angle to pass through the open portion.